Originally published December 29, 2011

At the end of 2011, the tech world is swirling in rumors about the new iPad. I want to focus on the conversation regarding screen size and resolution. There has been talk of a 7.85 inch iPad. There’s be talk of a 2048 x 1536 (QXGA) screen resolution. Gruber thinks it will be 2048 x 1536 display on a 9.7 inch screen. The numbers don’t add up to me.

For this to be true, the display will have to be around 264 pixels per inch (ppi). There is probably an AMOLED or Super AMOLED screen to do that, but that would be new to Apple. The Retina display of the iPhone is 326 ppi. And it just so happens that a 2048 x 1536 display at a density of 326 ppi, has a 7.85 inch screen.

If you want to use a Retina display, and you want QXGA resolution, you’re going to end up with a 7.85 in screen.